Why Over a Third of Washington Homes Still Lack Air Conditioning — and Why That's Changing
By
Nancy Schaffer
Summary
This article examines why over a third of homes in Washington state lack air conditioning, tracing the historical reasons (mild summers, temperate climate) and explaining how climate change is rapidly making AC a necessity. It covers the health risks of heat exposure, the challenges of retrofitting older homes built without cooling systems, and the equity issues around who can afford installation. The piece highlights how rising temperatures are forcing a cultural and infrastructural shift in a region that historically didn't need AC.
Source
bskyWhy Over a Third of Washington Homes Still Lack Air Conditioning — and Why That's Changinghousedigest.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledWith temperatures rising, you're not alone if your personal goals just switched.
More than a third of homes in Washington still don't have air conditioning because it was historically unnecessary. But this is changing quickly.
The region's temperate climate meant AC was never a standard feature in many homes, but climate change is rewriting that reality.
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